Men accused of manslaughter over Rotherham crash that claimed life of Mackenzie Ball, 20, appear at court
20-year-old Mackenzie Ball was killed in the two-vehicle collision
Three men who were travelling as passengers during a fatal Rotherham crash that claimed the life of 20-year-old Mackenzie Ball have appeared at Sheffield Crown Court.
Mackenzie Ball died following a two-vehicle collision on Morthen Road, at the junction of Moat Lane, Wickersley, on June 2, 2024.
The crash involved a silver Land Rover Discovery and a silver Subaru Forester.
Mackenzie, who was a passenger in the Land Rover, died at the scene. At least two other passengers were in the Land Rover, while four young men were in the Subaru.
The driver of the Suburu the driver of the Subaru, Owen Cocksedge, 20, of HMP Doncaster, pleaded guilty to Mackenzie’s manslaughter during a Sheffield Crown Court hearing held in April 2026.
The three passengers in the Suburu have also been charged with Mackenzie’s manslaughter. They are:
- Kowen Pitts, 21, of Jaunty Avenue, Gleadless Townend, Sheffield: charged with manslaughter
- Adam Platts, 20, of Basegreen Road, Gleadless, Sheffield: charged with manslaughter
- Deacon Blake, 18, of Jaunty Avenue, Gleadless Townend, Sheffield: charged with manslaughter and Section 18 GBH
Each of them appeared at Sheffield Crown Court this afternoon (Friday, July 24, 2026).
No pleas were entered during today’s proceedings, but a further hearing was fixed for next week.
Cocksedge also appeared at court alongside Mr Pitts, Mr Platts and Mr Blake.
During his April plea hearing, Cocksedge also admitted two charges of GBH for injuries caused to two others in the Land Rover.
He is set to be sentenced at a later date, and was remanded into custody until then.
Mr Pitts, Mr Platts and Mr Blake were all released on bail.